Why Jesus’ Healing of the Paralytic is A Declaration of Divinity

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” – Mark 2:5-7

Notice that the charge is blasphemy. Why is this so?

Let’s say I steal from my brother. He can forgive me for stealing. But can he forgive the sin itself? When I stole from my brother, I rebelled against God’s commandment not to steal (Exodus 20:15). Therefore my sin is against God, so only God can choose whether to forgive my sin of stealing.

Or put it this way…

I am Scott. If you sin against Scott, I can forgive those sins against me. Michelle Malkin cannot forgive those sins against me, because she is not Scott. Only I am Scott – only I can forgive sins against me.

Mel Gibson is Mel Gibson. If I sin against Mel Gibson, he can forgive those sins against him. Danny Glover cannot forgive those sins against Mel Gibson, because he is not Mel Gibson. Only Mel Gibson is Mel Gibson – only he can forgive sins against Mel Gibson.

Follow the logic so far? Good.

But if you sin against God, who can forgive that sin except God Himself? So by forgiving the paralytics’s sins – sins against God – Jesus was showing that Jesus is God.

So here we go once more…

God is God. If a paralytic sins against God, God can forgive those sins against Him. You or I or Mel Gibson cannot forgive those sins against God, because we are not God. Only God is God – only He can forgive sins against Him. But Jesus could forgive sins against God… So that means Jesus is God.

Do you follow the logic? The teachers of the law could, which is why they immediately accused Jesus of blasphemy – for equating Himself to God!

And yes, the paralytic’s sins were forgiven…

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. – Mark 2:10-11

PS. Note too Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man, another declaration of deity – see Daniel 7:13-14 for why, and Matthew 26:63-66 for where Jesus uses the same language as found in Daniel and the High Priest immediately realizes the declaration of deity (“He has spoken blasphemy!”).

“A huge storm arises and the sailors, realizing this is no ordinary storm, cast lots and learn that Jonah is to blame. Jonah admits this and states that if he is thrown overboard the storm will cease. The sailors try to get the ship to the shore but in failing feel forced to throw him overboard, at which point the sea calms. Jonah is miraculously saved by being swallowed by a large whale specially prepared by God where he spent three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). In chapter two, while in the great fish, Jonah prays to God in his affliction and commits to thanksgiving and to paying what he has vowed. God commands the fish to vomit Jonah out.”

Muslims believe this Jonah’s even exactly as Christian do. And I believe, Christianity and Islam (and Judaism) from the same root. God has sent many holy books to mankind via prophets FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE FOLOWERS DURING THEIR TIMES, (until the emergence of the following prophet); and the last book was Quran for whole mankind. No other apostle or prophet will be coming/ sent.

It’s my understanding that Joseph Smith Jr. was the last prophet sent by God. Under the angel Moroni’s divine guidance he discovered the Book of Mormon written on gold plates in 1827 and painstakingly transcribed them for all of mankind.

Tell me, what metric is used to distinguish an authentic prophet from a raving lunatic? After all, even Jesus lamented that a prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

All prophets were men, never an angel. All of them were male (some Christians believe there was also woman?). Therefore, they were like us, need foods, drink, sleep or rest, etc. They need a toilet as well ! (If there was no toilet (“rest room”), any hidden places will do… yes.

Anyone who have foods intake, he must needs a toilet. I personally do not believe anyone was a “god” (as claimed by some people) if he or she was a toilet (or bush) user. Really. He cannot be god, he must be a man, no matter how convinced are you.

Distintions? Of course. Take for example Jesus, he cured lepers, the blinds, raised the death etc. Can a normal man do that ? And all prophets had never lied in their lifetime. They brought us revelations also – through’ holy books.

According to the OT, not all prophets were male. There were a few prophetesses as well: Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Noadiah. And the NT also mentions a prophetess named Anna who attended during Jesus consecration at the temple.